The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-02-19
REUBEN, THE JEWELER.
BY MARTHA DALzELL.

II am jew OF the Jews who reside IN
the city of Algiers; my name is Reuben,
and am rich. We Jews of Algiers are.
many OF us, very wealthy. We deal in
leather, in silk stuifs, In firearms and in
jewels. We are respected and well-liked.
There are at least six thousand OF us In
the city, and We own much OF the land
there.
81 dealt in jewels. From my shop In
the old, narrow street / could see the ter
races OF white houses upon the hill. For
that reason / preferred il 10 the larger,
lighter streets with arcades, which the
Frenchh ave built, and which remind one OF
Paris.
my customers knew where to find me rs
we'll in the dark old street, and when had
an lido moment / could look mp nj the
window where / knew that Miriam sat at
work, setting tiny, silken stitches side by
side, or perhaps playing Oh her guitar, be-
hind her shadowing blinds.
"Miriam was the daughter of Abraham,
whose firearms were the best in the place.
Abraham was rich, but he knew that was
not unworthy of his daughter, and Miriam
had given her heart To me. We should
have been already married had il not been
for Abijah, the eldest son OF old Abraham's
eldest brother.
"There is black sheep in every flock.
Abijah was the black sheep in that one.
He was a very wicked man, a profigate
and spendthrift but for this no would,
mt her coming OF age, have taken Miriam,
his cousin. for his wife. For such was the
custom OF the family, that the fortunes
should never pass away TO strangers.
Abrahams brother had died believing this
would be, but as the youth grew older IL
became plain that he was beyond all reform.
He spent his own gold, and was anxious to
mafrj his cousin that he might refill his
Golfers.
"There are many ceremonies connected
with a marriage, but the ancient customs
OF the Jews of Algiers make a marriage
valid IL once the woman has willingly re-
ceiyed gift from the young man, rendered
with these words:
ccnsecrato myself 90 thee with this
"Often had wild and wicked Abijah cried
out TO the elders of the family, 1T is my
right 10 marry my cousin. The promise
was given in our infancy to my father and
II needs only the gift and words of conse-
Grafton 10 make her my wife. / will bide
my time; but il shall come.
"And the man was bold and insolent
enough for any deed.
"Miriam's mother watched her girl from
dawn until dark, and babe her refuse any
gift her cousin Abijah offered her. And
the girl loathed him even before we met.
shall never forget the day. loved her on
the instant. / went TO her father.
proved that was good man and true, and
that Miriam should have all that queen
could covet were she given TO me. And
then Abraham told me of Abijah.
'You are all desire for my daughters
husband. Reuben he said. But the
pledge was given to my dead brother, and
Abijah only can break 1t. He can say TO
her, IL set thee freel" And after these
words she can we'd another. but not before
they are uttered.
~ have offered him money TO do this,
but nothing save my girls whole fortune
will content him. His extravaganza and
his necessities may bring him 10 terms
some day. Meanwhile / never gave
promise 10 my brother as to the hour In
which Abijah should marry her. Better
that she should never be a wife than that
she should be given 10 such "A scoundrel.
But thou desircst wife, Reuben, and the
time may be long and thou mayest grow
weary; perhaps Il will be better for thee TO
seek some other Maiden
"But said, No; in all the world there
is but one woman for me, and her name is
Miriam, and IL / must serve for her seven
for Rachel, they shall seem but few days,
$50 II stood thus. III ever Abiiah said
90 Miriam, Il release thee and my claim
upon thee, and set thee free, she might be
mine.
al won't 10 tho house OF Abraham almost
every day: | was son 10 him. | waited a
wear. and another, aud still another, aud
Abijah Knocked noe I'm the streets. and as
sat nj tho door Of my shop. he cried out, Let
other mems wives alone. Reuben the Jew
oler, or the gray hairs will be many In YOU
beard. and still yod will be waiting
Sometimes IL seemed best TO me that
should slny him, but restrained my hand
IL was man OF early middle age. Nj,
beard was long and black, my stature good
my shoulders straight; was strong and no
III 90 look upon. ! was rich.
@Abiiah had the face drunkard, thu
evil eyes of one of impure heart, slouch
ing step. checks hollow, and a brow markes
with wrinkles even In his early youth, DO
cause OF his evil life. His clothes wcr'
ragged and stained with wine. Yet becaus'
Of an old superstition, he could keep M
from marrying my love who loved me, an'
who detested him.
~My patience was worn ont nt last, 10
the fellow laughed at all our offers an
threatened loudly.